Schlüterhof

With the reconstruction of the Berlin Palace there will emerge in the next ten years, right in the historical heart of the city, a unique centre for art, culture, science, and learning with significant global reach, which will bear the name ‘Humboldt-Forum’. It will be entirely dedicated to the dialogue between the cultures of the world and will act as a forum for debate and analysis of historical and current issues of global significance, viewed from a multitude of fresh perspectives.

As a partnership between the Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz, the Zentral- und Landesbibliothek Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, museum, library, and university are set to return to their place of origin: for each of these now public institutions are closely linked with the history of the Palace, and in particular with the Kunstkammer (or royal ‘cabinet of art’) that was originally housed here. This applies most especially to the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, which will have two of its museum collections on show in the Humboldt-Forum, that of the Ethnologisches Museumand the Museum für Asiatische Kunst.The Humboldt-Forum will be a testing ground for new forms of collaboration between the participating cultural institutions. Scientific working methods will be cemented with artistic ones. Featuring several additional events venues and formats, the Forum will be a meeting point for people from all over the world – irrespective of their origin, age, educational background, interests, experience, and personal tastes.

The Humboldt-Forumwill aim to better the current understanding of our globalized world. It will both raise questions and search for ways to solve them. It will highlight economic and ecological developments in the global society and show what tasks lie ahead in shaping them, be it in the world of politics, the economy, or culture. In keeping with the two brothers from whom its name is derived – Wilhelm and Alexander von Humboldt – this place will stand as a living symbol of the respectful and equitable cohabitation between the cultures and nations of the world.